FRINGILLID^ — THE FINCHES. 23 



grayish cast, including the whole superciliary stripe. The streaks on throat and jugulum 

 in spring are almost black, as in inelodia ; in autumn more rufous; in all cases quite as 

 sharply defined as in melodia. The bill is nearly black in spring. 

 Hab. Middle Province of United States, to the Sierra Nevada. 



This race, intermediate between melodia and heermanni in habitat, is, 

 however, hardly so in characters. The bill is more slender than in either, 

 being much like that of guttata, and the tail is longer in proportion to the 

 wing. In colors it is paler than either, the ground-cast above being nearly 

 clear grayish : the streaks, both on the back and jugulum, are more sparse, 

 as well as narrower ; very frequently, in the winter plumage, those beneath 

 lack the central black, being wholly rufous ; such is the case with the type. 

 In summer, however, they are frequently entirely black, the external rufous 

 having entirely disappeared. As in heermanni, the rump is innnaculate. 

 The young bird differs as does the adult, though the resemblance to those of 

 7nelodia and heermanni is more close than in the adult. The very narrow 

 bill and long tail are the most characteristic features of form. 



Habits. In habits and song, Dr. Cooper can find no appreciable differ- 

 ences between this variety and its nearest allies. He states that its nest, 

 which he found in a willow thicket, was composed of bark and fine twigs 

 and grass, and lined with hair. Its eggs he describes as bluish-white, blotched 

 and streaked with reddish-brown, and as measuring .74 by .55 of an inch. 



Dr. Coues found this species a common and permanent resident in Ari- 

 zona, and he pronounces its habits, manners, and voice precisely like those 

 of M. melodia. This species, he states, occurs throughout New Mexico, 

 Arizona, and a part of Soutliern California, and is particularly abundant in 

 the valley of the Colorado. 



Dr. Kennerly observed this species only along Pueblo Creek, in the month 

 of January. It did not confine itself to the open valley, but was often 

 seen among the thick bushes that margined the creek, far up into the Aztec 

 Mountains, where the snow covered the ground. In its habits it resembled 

 the Poospiza belli, being very restless and rapid in its motions, accompany- 

 ing them with a short chirp, feeding upon the seeds of the weeds that 

 remained uncovered by the snow. Its flight was also rapid and near the 

 earth. The bird being very shy. Dr. Kennerly found it difficult to procure 

 many specimens. 



According to Mr. Eidgway, the Western Song Sparrow is one of the 

 most abundant of the resident species inhabiting the fertile portions of the 

 Great Basin. It principally occupies the willows along the streams, but is 

 also found in tuU slouglis of the river valleys. From a long acquaintance 

 with the Western Song Sparrows, Mr. Eidgway is fully convinced of tlie pro- 

 priety of recognizing this as a distinct variety from the eastern 31. melodia. 

 In all respects, as to habits, especially in its familiarity, it replaces at tlie 

 West the well-known Song Sparrow of the East. When first heard, the 

 peculiar measure and delivery of its song at once attracts attention. The 



